Belleville
Belleville Public Library and Information Center, 221 Washington Ave., hosts a holiday decorating party in the children’s room on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 11 a.m. This event is open to all ages. For more information, call 973-450-3434 or visit www.bellepl.org and www.facebook.com/bellepl.
Harrison
The Harrison Cancer League is holding its annual Thanksgiving pie sale through Nov. 19. To order pies, call Maria Bradley at 862-763-0047.
The Christmas Boutique will be held on Dec. 4, at Town Hall, from noon to 4 p.m.
The League is collecting toys for the Valerie Fund. Toys may be dropped off at the Senior Citizens Center, 221 Harrison Ave. Donations of toys and gift cards for ages 2 through 21 will be accepted through Nov. 30.
Harrison Recreation Co-ed Recreation basketball is registering youngsters from grades 1 to 8 through Nov. 20 at the Community Center, 401 Warren St. There is a registration fee of $25. For more information, call the Community Center at 973- 268-2469.
Children ages 7 to 13 are invited to participate in the Harrison/East Newark Elks Basketball Hoop Shoot Shoot- Out Contest on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Community Center, 401 Warren St.
Harrison and East Newark Senior Citizens who are homebound or disabled can get a free fully-cooked turkey dinner with all the trimmings delivered by the Harrison East Newark Elks and Knights of Columbus. Call Larry at 973-865-9990 or Cindy at 973-766-6458 or the Elks Lodge at 973-485-7895 by Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Kearny
Kick off the holiday season at the Kearny KUEZ Holiday Tree Lighting Festival on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Town Hall. The popular townwide tradition begins at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Town Hall with a holiday concert featuring local performers of all ages. At 6:30 p.m. Santa arrives to help Mayor Alberto Santos light the Kearny Holiday Tree. The festivities then move immediately to Town Hall Park where Santa, joined by Mrs. Claus and their elves, will be on hand for children (12 and under) to visit until 8:30 p.m. The merry-making continues throughout the park with free events and activities until 8:30 p.m.
The Rosary Society of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 136 Davis Ave., will hold a Christmas party on Dec. 6, at 1 p.m., at La Venere Ristorante, 614 Schuyler Ave., North Arlington. Cost is $28, payable to Jean Morton (201-991-4732), as soon as possible.
Kearny Eagles Aerie 2214, 164 Midland Ave., holds its annual diabetes fundraiser and Tricky Tray on Saturday, Nov. 21. A registered nurse will conduct free glucose testing from 1 to 4 p.m. Dinner will be served from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10. A cash bar will be available. Tickets may be purchased at the aerie or call 201-991-9865 for more information. The Fraternal Order of Eagles opened its own Diabetes Research Center in Iowa in 2013. Donations for diabetes research may be made by check, payable to Kearny Aerie 2214, 164-166 Midland Ave., Kearny, N.J. 07032.
The Eagles will conduct a canning fundraiser on Nov. 21 and Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Members will be collecting monetary donations outside various local businesses, including Kearny Bank, Mid-Town Drugs, D&F Deli and more. Donations will go to various charities, such as veterans, town recreation departments, schools, etc.
Kearny Public Library, 318 Kearny Ave., announces the following programs:
- A holiday wreath workshop is set for Monday, Nov. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The library will provide all materials, but each family is encouraged to bring something personal to add a unique touch to their wreath. Each finished piece will be displayed on the library grounds. The top three wreaths will be displayed in the library booth at the annual tree lighting event on Dec. 3. People will vote for their favorite. The family that creates the winning wreath will be awarded a prize.
The library is limiting participating families to 15, so call the library at 201-998-2666 to reserve a spot. Each family will be limited to eight participants. Infants will not be permitted because hot glue guns will be used. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. This event requires parent participation and supervision.
- “Call Me William: The Life and Loves of Willa Cather,” a one-woman show starring Prudence Wright Holmes, will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m.
- A screening of the new film “Jurassic World” (PG-13 / 124 minutes) is set for Friday, Nov. 20, at 3:30 p.m.
Kearny Community Food Pantry, at Grace Methodist Church, 380 Kearny Ave., will be open on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon. All Kearny residents with limited means and proof of residence may choose from necessary food and personal care items. Use the Chestnut St. entrance only. The food pantry is open on the third Saturday of each month.
During this holiday season, the food pantry seeks donations of food items and/or Shop Rite gift cards. Items may be dropped off at the food pantry on Saturdays. Check donations, payable to the Kearny Community Food Pantry, may be mailed to the Kearny Community Food Pantry, P.O. Box 3047, Kearny, N.J. 07032.
An ecumenical Thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, 663 Kearny Ave. St. Stephen’s, St. Cecilia’s and First Baptist Church will be participating.
Lyndhurst
Lyndhurst Food Pantry, 253 Stuyvesant Ave., will be collecting turkeys for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Donations will be accepted Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., through Nov. 19.
American Legion Post 139 Rehabilitation Committee holds a ward party for veterans at Chestnut Hill Extended Care Facility, Passaic, on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 2:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by members of the First Presbyterian Church Missions Committee, Rutherford. This party will be in memory of Alan Litke, a veteran of the Philippines Campaign in World War II.
Post members play games of chance with hospitalized veterans and distribute treats to them. Anyone interested in sponsoring a ward party is invited to call John Deveney at 201-438-2255.
Lyndhurst Public Library, 355 Valley Brook Ave., hosts a Thanksgiving turkey craft, open to grades pre-k to 4, on Monday, Nov. 23, from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Registration is required. To register or for more information, call 201-804-2478, ext. 3.
VFW Post 3549, 527 Valley Brook Ave., hosts a Karaoke party on Friday, Nov. 20, starting at 7:30 p.m. The VFW hall is available to rent for all occasions. For more information, call the post at 201-939-3080.
Mary Lou Mullins’ monthly bus trip to Atlantic City is set for Sunday, Nov. 29, going to Resorts Casino. The cost is $30 with a cash return of $30. Early reservations are encouraged. Call Mary Lou at 201-933-2186.
Lyndhurst Health Department holds its bi-annual blood screening on Friday, Dec. 4, at 253 Stuyvesant Ave. Appointments begin at 8 a.m. Participants are tested for chemistry profile, cholesterol level, blood count, and thyroid level. This service is available to Lyndhurst residents over the age of 18. There is a $26 fee, payable in cash or check only. Checks should be made payable to Medical Laboratory Diagnostics. Pre-registration is required. Call 201-804-2500 for an appointment.
North Arlington
Senior Harmony Club of North Arlington sponsors a trip to Resorts Casino in Atlantic City on Thursday, Nov. 19. Cost is $25. Resorts will provide $25 in slot play. For reservations, call Florence at 201-991-3173.
North Arlington Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual Santa Claus Parade and food drive on Saturday, Nov. 28. Beginning at 9 a.m., Santa and friends will be at Fire Headquarters, 3 Legion Place. Donations of canned, dry goods and non-perishable food items will be collected during the parade route. Donations will also be accepted before Nov. 28 at Borough Hall and the Senior Center.
Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus Council 3428, 94 River Road, conducts a blood drive on Friday, Nov. 27, from 3 to 7 p.m. New donors must know their Social Security number and present a photo or signed ID. All donors must weigh at least 120 pounds to donate, eat a meal and drink plenty of water one hour prior to donating, and all 16-year-old blood donors must present a signed Blood Center of N.J. parental consent form on the day of the blood drive.
For more information about eligibility and/or for those who have recently traveled outside the U.S., call1-973-676-4700, ext.132.
Nutley
Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Drive, announces the following programs:
- Two-Year-Old Story Time, open to ages 23 to 36 months, is set for Friday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. Registration is required.
- Hooked on Books, open to grades 4 to 6, meets on Friday, Nov. 20, at 3:30 p.m. Registration is required online. Nutley residents will receive priority registration.
- Author Elena Gorokhova, discusses her book, “Russian Tattoo: A Memoir,” at the next meeting of the Monday Night Book Discussion Group on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Copies of the book and the discussion questions are available one month in advance at the circulation desk of the library.
The Phoenix Center, a nonprofit school serving students with disabilities from ages 5 to 21, announces its first annual Tuesday Taste on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the Phoenix Center gym, 16 Msgr. Owens Place. Local area restaurants will offer samplings of their signature dish. Suggested donation is $20 per person.
For reservations and additional information, contact Mary Beth Green in the Development Office at 973- 542- 0743, ext. 403, or email her at mgreen@thephoenixcenternj.org.
For more information about the Phoenix Center, visit www.thephoenixcenternj.org or visit them on Facebook at ThePhoenixCenter.
